Irish swoop nets internet paedophiles

A judge, a choirmaster and a school teacher were among dozens of people under investigation today after the biggest crackdown against child pornography in the Irish Republic.

More than 500 police officers conducted raids at around 100 addresses across Ireland yesterday and seized computers and components.

It is understood that police traced offenders through the use of credit cards to buy images of children being abused. Officers have also been monitoring Internet traffic in recent months.No arrests were made during the raids, which were mainly on private addresses, but files were being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide if criminal charges should be brought.

Computer equipment was today being examined at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin. Credit card transactions would also be investigated.